(CNN) - Rep. Vance McAllister said Monday he will run for re-election in November despite previously announcing he would not seek another term in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District.

McAllister – who is married with children – was caught on video kissing an aide in his office, sparking calls for the Republican congressman to step down. Three weeks after the video was posted by a local newspaper, he announced he would not seek re-election, only to reverse that decision on Monday.

"Today, after consulting with my wife and family, I have made a decision to run for re-election for the 5th Congressional District," he said in statement. "I know the needs of this congressional district very well. I also know that this district needs a strong, conservative voice in congress."

McAllister said at a news conference later Monday that he made his initial decision to not seek re-election because it was the right move for his family at the time. But, after extensive pray and consultation with his wife, Kelly, he believes the voters should decide if he returns to Washington in November.

"It's not about flip-flopping," he said. "It's not about playing games. It's about giving people the choice and being true to ourselves and moving forward."

Just over two months ago, McAllister announced he wouldn't run again in the fall, apologizing for his actions after a local newspaper published a surveillance video of the Louisiana congressman passionately kissing his scheduler in his office last December.

McAllister, who campaigned as a Christian conservative, was elected in a November 2013 special election to fill the vacancy left by GOP Rep. Rodney Alexander's resignation. Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state's Republican Party urged the embattled lawmaker to resign after the video surfaced, citing McAllister's infidelity as an example of a well-worn hypocrisy in politics.

Louisiana's 5th Congressional District is located in the northeast portion of the state and is considered safe for the GOP.

soundoff(10 Responses)

Silence DoGood

He will probably play the God card and claim he has found God once again.
Just say no to religion in politics. Just like in 1776.

June 30, 2014 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |

Pander Bear

Awesome. He can claim that Jesus forgave him and then get on his soap box to praise the Supreme Court for upholding the religious freedom of corporations. Christian Conservatives are ruining this country.

June 30, 2014 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

Rudy NYC

The silence from the right is deafening.

June 30, 2014 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |

Chris..E.al

Whats wrong with the kissing congressman when you dems stand for and promote every nasty low life act under the sun you would think you all would have his back ? Hmmm you would think you would rally around him and give him a blue ribbon ?

June 30, 2014 12:32 pm at 12:32 pm |

sonny chapman

McCallister is a different Christian Republican. He sees the Sin(Matthew 25,33.) in denying Medicaid Coverage to 400,000 just to impress National Repubs.(Jindal)

June 30, 2014 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |

Dead Bear

Old Grunderson will give him a vote.

June 30, 2014 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |

Larry Craig

Wait a minute...was his scheduler male or female?

June 30, 2014 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |

Chris..E.al

P.S. im steal waiting for the not so A.C.A TO SAVE THE AVERAGE AMERICAN 2.500 HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR !

June 30, 2014 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Fair is Fair

Once a dirt bag, always a dirt bag. You can do better, Louisiana.

June 30, 2014 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |

Lynda/Minnesota

"Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state's Republican Party urged the embattled lawmaker to resign after the video surfaced, citing McAllister's infidelity as an example of a well-worn hypocrisy in politics."

No doubt after much prayer, God told McAllister to run again. Isn't this how it works in GOPerville, Bobby?